MARCH 2016Members of Hardy family joined other friends and relations of Chris Ashmore in Coventry to celebrate his 60th birthday whilst Mandy Spencer has just notched up her 65th. It's a heavy month for birthdays with Trish and Derek Galloway also celebrating.If you have a family event coming up or photos of Hardy related occasions why not share it on your Hardy family website.FEBRUARY 2016Meet your ancestors, above Gustavus Hardy, a new illustration brought to us courtesy of Lynlee and Colin O'Keeffe from Australia who have recently been in touch and follow on from earlier contacts with Joseph O'Keeffe some years back, we meet his offspring in a later posting ( As contributions are so sparse I'm eking out the material!.DECEMBER 2015Dudley Hardy married Anne on Saturday morning at St Marys church in Beaumaris on Anglesey. The bi-lingual service was very enjoyable as was the reception with a trio of fine Welsh male voice singers in harmony. The evening saw the celebrations continue with a hog roast. Here are some of the photos that Dave Spencer took and you are welcome to download for family use. I'm not sure how you get the portrait style pictures to be upright on these slide shows so apologies if you get a crick in the neck looking!

December 2015The event on September 20th was cancelled as there was hardly anyone available to attend. The bench looks grand and we look forward to going down to Southern Cemetery soon to give it a final tidy for winter. There are usually spring bulbs to view and we shall as usual plant out the family graves around the bench so it will be a delight to invite you along to have a look in 2016.If anyone wishes to put news and history etc on these pages you are very welcome, I can give anyone in the family links required.

The next Hardy family event will be a ceremony at Manchester Southern Cemetery 2pm September 20th 2015 to unveil the new bench celebrating the family worldwide and especially 'Berta' Hardy and the descendents of Robert Joseph Hardy worldwide.

12th August 2015, a clean up of the family graves at Southern Cemetery after Dave went for his pre op medical and physio at the Spire, Manchester hospital. They all look pretty good topped up the flowers with some winter flowering pansies but hope that they last another four weeks into September. The area looks much better with the old tree trunk stump removed and from the bench you can see all the family graves in this section. Here are photos taken on the clean up, thank goodness for the battery grass strimmer. I'll have to get the gardeners there to not spray for weeds around Robert Joseph Hardy's grave, most of those this old aren't tended by families so they just let fly with the spray. I'm preparing an invite for the 'unveiling' on Sunday 20th September, these should go out within the next few days.

August 2015

We hope that as many of the Hardy family as possible will be able to attend this informal ribbon cutting ceremony to be held Sunday 20th September at the Southern Cemetery in Chorlton cum Hardy, hopefully we shall have the gates open for vehicle access. The bench is due to arrive by late August, the base is already in place and they have the commemorative plaque. The gardeners have cleared the remains of the old tree stump and the area looks much improved. Mandy and Mandy will go down mid August for a final clear up as Dave goes in for a knee replacement on 21st August. In the event of bad weather guests can retreat to the 'hut' which has an exhibition on the 'Southern'. There will be a drink and nibbles and anyone who wishes can join up later at the Horse and Jockey in Chorlton village.

May 2015The order has been placed for the commerative bench at Southern Cemetery which will celebrate the family worldwide plus in particular 'Berta' Hardy. The event will be mid September 2015 date to be announced although it will be on a working day as Mandy couldn't access the cemetery when the gates are closed to vehicles at weekends. If the weather is bad we can use the museum / information room. I intend liaising with Tony Mahony the bird man of the Southern to involve other interested parties such as the friends of the Southern and put on some extra 'entertainment'. We would hope to toast the event suitably and cut the ribbon. The graves in the central section near the chapel have been tidied up and summer bedding plants put in place, the battery strimmer has helped the tidy up process. The bench will take three months to complete, that should see it ready by the end of August and a couple of weeks spare to get the place spruced up again for visitors.

June 2014

Barb and Denise arrived from Canada and joined us at the rehearsal at St Oswalds on Friday 27th June 14 followed by a drive up to Buxton although the weather was torrential rain. They joined Dave's sisters Yvonne and Margaret and Graham and Roger and our best friend Sue for dinner at the Golden pheasant at Plumley. Their family history tour has been relocated to Sunday 29th June when the weather is expected to be cool but bright and dry. The weather for the church ceremony in Lower Peover will hopefully be dry with the clouds clearing in the evening. Dave and Mandy have had a portrait photo taken and now hanging in the dining room, here are the proofs, I wonder if you can guess which one we chose.

As the 28th of June rapidly approaches we are getting ready for the arrivals of cousin Barb and Denise from Canada, they arrive on Thursday 26th June and I suppose we could say this is the start of the festivities. Initially they are staying with Mandy and Dave Spencer in Lower Peover then move on to the party venue at Holmes Chapel at Cranage Hall. The arrangements are all in place and the final head count will be give to the hotel on Tuesday 24th. Any last minute requests to attend please advise before that date to ensure you have ample supplies of pudding, oh and dinner I suppose. We have a super day in store with Helena Thomas the soloist at the church service and the evenings entertainment with three talented young people from the Royal Northern College of Music ( Manchester).

March 2014

Hardy family meeting in Wangarei New ZealandMandy and Dave Spencer met Tina and Max and family in New Zealand, photos of the various meetings, meals and get togethers are now all available on a 'private' link on our Smugmug site, they can be downloaded by right clicking, without this link no one can view them.http://pmpfilms.smugmug.com/New-Zealand-and-Cook-Islans-20/n-RVFpf/Now our attention starts to focus on June 2014 when Barb and Denise come over to the UK and join the rest of the Hardy clan at Mandy and Dave's 40th wedding anniversary celebrations. All members of the extended clan are invited to the service of blessing at St Oswald's church in Lower Peover, Cheshire WA16 at 3pm on 29th June 2014

February 2014

Dave and Mandy Spencer set off to visit Tina and Max and family in New Zealand. Before leaving they managed to capture a film and photos of several of John Thomas Hardy's houses through the years. Starting with Fairlawn St which survives as a rump close in Moss Side/ Hulme area of Manchester, much bombed it had prefabs after WWII and then high rise housing which was demolished and now low rise social housing but the area is pretty run down again already.

They had moved to the leafy suburbs by 1901 census at 11 Goulden St in Withington

Next they had moved to 4 Prince's Ave in Didsbury by the time of the 1911 census

They moved around the corner to Haigh Ave by 1916, we've already covered that on previous explorations but next we went to Tina and Barb's grandmother's place where she lived as a widow in 1950 at Ringway Rd next to Manchester Airport.

December 2013. Christmas greetings to the Hardy and indeed Spencer / Vincent clans Date for your diary is 28th June 2014 when Dave and Mandy Spencer celebrate their Ruby Wedding anniversary at Lower Peover, Cheshire for those attending the service and evening function attached is a list of hotels and locations. For Hardy clan members please note that this is your chance to meet Barb and Denise your cousins from Vancouver Island, Canada who will be joining or celebrations on June 28th. We need a form of ID or a crib sheet the easy way to recognise your extended family. It's only a matter of weeks before Dave and Mandy Spencer go out to New Zealand to meet cousins Tina and Max.November 24th 2013 Again nearly half a year has slipped by and we haven't been in touch but that doesn't mean that nothing has been happening so let's catch up, firstly in February the Hardy reunion roadshow arrives on the North Island of New Zealand when Dave and Mandy Spencer visit Tina and Max Pemberton in February. Whilst on June 28th 14 we have a grand Hardy and Spencer family bash in Lower Peover as Dave and Mandy Spencer celebrate their Ruby wedding anniversary, invites will be in Christmas cards and cascaded to other members of the family not in direct contact. Dave and Mandy enjoyed a weekend in France with Trish and Derek Galloway and also met up with Mark and Julia oop north when Derek was stomping out the Jazz somewhere very high and cold.

Mandy on her trip to India back in April

June 5th 2013. Where have all the months gone, anyway we haven't been that busy with family history more current family but today I went to The Southern Cemetery and tidied up the Hardy, Hastings graves in the cluster near the chapel. Photos below, all in good order. It was very hot and I could have watered the flowers by leaning over them. I put a few bedding Begonias in and topped up the white chippings, I didn't have anything for Robert Joseph Hardy's grave but will try and do something later. We have decided to bite the bullet ourselves and go ahead with the commemorative bench there having been no response from the rest of the family.

January 2013 Greetings to all members of the Hardy clan through at least three continents and a very Happy New Year to you all. As usual an amazing amount of time has flown past since I added any content but there again no one else has offered to pick up the reins sdo it stays with me at the end of a very long list of web sites which I sustain.The reunion on Vancouver island back in September was certainly the hilight of 2012 for the Hardy family history. After no little trauma on the island in December cousin Barb is about to commence copying some of their family photographs and hopefully we'll be able to fill in some gaps in the histories or biographies of Hardys past. Please use this site , you can have your own page, send in photos, notify the forum, share memories.....Mandy and Dave Spencer will be joining Max and Tina in New Zealand in February 2014 for another grand reunion.

September 20th 2012. The Northampton University Bernie Ashmore Award Fund , this award has been presented three times now, and this year Helen spoke to the award holder, Fatima, about her plans and her commitment to women’s development in particular. It was lovely to hear how much the award meant to her and her family and what she hoped to achieve. In particular the award can provide students, many of whom are from developing countries, with the opportunity to make an overseas visit and do something practical. It has taken Helen a while to clarify if it will be possible to sustain and develop this award- , Helen is pleased to let you know that Paul Jenkins will be administering the Award on behalf of the International Development Department, as well as Helen and her friend Debbie family and friends are invited to make contributions to the fund, which Helen would like to try to make an annual award of about £500 or more. Having the support of Northampton University makes this a sustainable way of commemorating Bernie in the long term. We are sure many of you would like to contribute to something to honour Bernie’s life and suggesting this is one way of doing that. If you are interested please complete the standing order mandate attached. The award is given annually at graduation, so any time during the year making one annual payment, or a small monthly contribution would be very much appreciated. You don’t need to let Helen know your decision, but if you want to drop her a line please do. This will also enable Helen to keep you in touch with the award and the progress of students. We all know Bernie would be delighted at such a practical and lasting memorial especially contributing to young people’s understanding and involvement in the struggle for justice and change internationally.

September 8th 2012. Today I went down and tended to all the Hardy and Hastings graves that we look after at Southern Cemetery in Manchester, they were a little worse for wear with long grass and as usual the staff had been a bit slap happy with the weed killer. I asked the groundsman about the hard standing where the old bench once stood and was offered a memorial bench to go in the spot with a plaque, I thought something like Robert Joseph Hardy , his dates , of Salford his descendents united across three continents 2012. If any of the family would like to contribute please contact Mandy and Dave Spencer, I would like to get it in place for next spring.September 1st 2012. Just back from Canada and the Hardy family reunion at Sidney, Vancouver Island see the Reunion page for photos and report.August 1st 2012. The family reunion on Vancouver Island is nearly upon us. I finished the DVD on the Hardy family origins from Manchester 1800 onwards ready to show the family over the weekend when we arrive. July 6th 2012.Once again time seems to have passed and I've not updated the site which in no way reflects upon progress within the family as we head towards the great reunion on Vancouver Island at the end of August. Cousins from Canada, New Zealand and the UK will meet up for the first time, it promises to be a memorable event and if other relations want to participate they are very welcome although i had no expressions of interest following remarks below on 14th March. I have been getting a presentation ready, the sound is finished and I'm working on the images at present ready to deliver in BC next month.March 14th 2012Oh dear where did the time go, it was October when I last updated but so much has happened since then especially just before our 'Hardy' day and finding the clans in Canada and New Zealand. A big get together will take place on Vancouver Island in August 2012. I suppose it's somewhat selfish of Mark , Mandy and myself to keep this between ourselves when there are so many other members of the family equally related to Barb and Tina's families. We have been doing a lot of pushing on their family history lines and have extended back on the non Hardy sides a fair way. It was always my intention that other family member may want to take part on this site. The forum page remains unused I note so no interest there then.Hardy Day itself was generally received as a great success animating some of the past history with time line notes and geographic presence. Perhaps assembly a presentation for the forthcoming trip may focus efforts again, there remain terrific tasks such as putting names to the many family photos now all the known UK collections have all been scanned. Lots of the early shots predate emmigration thus should apply to everyone in touch. If anyone else would like to join the get together in Vancouver and be put in touch with Barb and Tina's sides and they have several generations of age groups then let us know, they are both on Skype and true to form love a good natter.

Archived news

2011October 27th. By tonight all 4 parts of the Hardy day film will be on YoutubeOctober 24th Hardy Day images being added to the Hardy Day page, please send images for inclusion, Trish rang to thank us for the day and we have another member of the clan due to Jeannie and Tony Colclough in California, congratulations.October 21st, lots of last minute panics but we got over them one by one and won't bore you with the details however if you go to the Hardy Day page on this site I've put on some photos taken at Southern Cemetery today.HARDY DAY IMPORTANT October 20th spent a lot of time and hard work tidying up at Southern Cem this afternoon, main news is that Hardy Lane is closed due to Metrolink extension works, the pick up is NOW AT NELL LANE back of the cemetary, end of M56 second set of light turn left and the lay by is on your right, this is where we would finish the rour and saves a drive back to Hardy Lane.I've laid out all but 2 of the grave markers, ran out of time and I'd transposed a couple of numbers which meant I couldn't find the grave, will finish off tomorrow.October 13th phew just missed Friday 13th by a day, anyway who is superstitious there days. Our last seat on the Hardy day bus has been given to our great friend Sue who is helping with some of the arrangements. Nearly all the pre planning is done and for those in the know I even found an early picture of Mayo Lodge. Todays shots of Bristol St and more of Silk St for those who can't come, a little bird tells me that some who are coming have been doing theirt homework on Google Earth etc, don't spoil it all too much!!!October 12th it's actually been quite busy, just one seat left on the Hardy Day trip. I received the last photos I needed from Manchester library today ( at great cost in payments, fuel and time). I also finished copying the Southern Cemetery map for the Hardy memorial hunt on the Saturday.Refreshments will be taken after the trip at the Horse and Jockey in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.October 6th, Gill is doing well and is home after her operation wishing her well. 2 seats have become free on the Hardy Day trip, first come on this if anyone wants to ring to reserve a seat or two, lots of interesting material now ready for what promises to be an interesting and educational day.From both New Zealand and Canada additions to bring the Hardy tree up to date with some lovely people in opposite sides of the glode all 1st or 2nd cousins.October 4th, well next time we start planning a Hardy Family history day it may be a global affair. We have now made contact not only with Denise and her mother and family but also first contacts with more of the Hardy clan in New Zealand. I rather hope Denise might add a Canadian section to the site, I knew it was a good idea but now it will prove it's worth keeping everybody in touch and introducing family to each other and so much more pleasant than Facebook.September 30, Our thoughts are with Gill today and for a speedy recovery. Mandy went up to Manchester to get copiesd of pictures for Hardy Day only to finf the library shut and the city centre under a ring of steel for the con party knees up, we were also going to do the dry run for timings in the morning, best laid plans and all that.September 28th Helen reminds us it would have been Bernie Ashmore's 60th birthday this Friday September 27th contact made with Hardy family members in Canada, yes a whole related clan out in Vancouver area and we have only just discovered each other, lots more to come on this, Hardy day all seats now booked. A slide show with photos of locations on Hardy Day page.September 22nd a souting mission to Salford,lots of phoyos taken which i'll try and get on tomorrow, the Hardy day is really starting to feel real now especially having stood in what remains of the early 19th century streets they lived and worked in.September 19th phew at last all of Trish's photos are scanned and trimmed up, it will be interesting putting all the collections together in sequence. A lot of Hardy day maps, plans and photos now copied ready for the day.September 16th the leaflet for Hardy Day is now copied x 16, just a few of Trish's photos to scan. I'm working on the Southerm Cem trail markers.September 15th a busy day for both Dave and Mandy, Mandy went to Salford museum and Dave covered some of the Chorlton addresses ( and Southern Cem), both for the Hardy Family Day. Scanning the last album of Thrish's photos.September 7th. The coach for the Hardy day has been sourced from ABC coaches in Salford, smart minicoach with PA on board. This sets the cost at circa £25 per person for the day ( even that is below break even). There are a few seats left if you are interested book now please.September 4th. A lot of work in many directions, The Hardy Day will take place, spaces are now limited on the bus, a bit of a shock with the quotes but i'll get it down as low as possible. Mandy is consulting with salford library about the visit to view relevent material. The leaflet is nearly ready. Itinerary to sort.August 26th I've added material from Trish Hardy's files, I need to add details of the photos but this shows what is available and allows family members to dig deeper into interesting lives, lots of detail on Dudley Hardy's beekeepingAugust 22nd 7 confirmed bookings for the Hardy Day so it looks like it's on go. I need to really focus on getting the route sorted, means of transport etc. I hope to do another batch of Trish's photos this week.August 18th The first of Trish Galloway's family photos are now all trimmed and filed although I need to add info where know to image description. A random sample uploaded today so take a look, some quality shots. Dudley Hardy was interested in many things , a renowned bee keeper amongst many endeavours.August 16th 2011 Mandy has collected a few more photos from Trish and first bookings for Hardy day are arriving. I've been making arrangements in more detail such as visiting the cathedral to work around services and opening times.August 15th 2011 Totting up verbal promises there are at present 10 people for the Hardy family day.August 10th 2011Mandy has picked up the family photos from Trish, these cover her mum and dad and good coverage of the marriage including attendees etc at wedding. Lots on Dudleys bee keeping, newspaper cuttings, medals and memorabilia plus various medals and awards. Also nice family album in which Wales and Coventry all get their fair share. No 'old' family material - assume there is some must ask Trish after we get these copied and scanned.August 7th 2011I've added a lot to my expanded biography on the Dave Spencer website http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.phpReference Hardy Day in October, I'm seriously thinking of scrapping it as not one firm expression of interest has been shownTrisha has found yet more family photos which we hope to bring you soon.July 24th 2011. Trish Galloway has started to sort out her side of the Hardy photo files which will complete the quartet of siblings. Some interesting material as plenty which are not already scanned through the other collections- I'm sure we all look forward to these.Mandy Spencer has printed off a number of Hardy Day booking forms for distribution to those not able to access this site, although there are a few verbal promises not one form has been returned so we are feeling a littl;e wobbly about laying out expenses.Mark Ashmore has got hold of James Murphy's birth cert which gives his mothers maiden name as Shanly ( very Irish as expected). George her husband is listed as Cabinet Weaver which ties in with other entries except later when he comes up as architect, a mid life career move perhaps!June 2nd. I went to Southern Cem today and tended the main Hardy and Hastings sites. All in good order and the bench is back in place for the moment at least as the council seems to be getting rid of them on the pretext that it encourages 'stalkers'. The contract gardeners have sprayed weed killer over the grass but managed to avoid the main weed growth. it was hot and sticky but looks good for the work done.May 15th 2011, all Mark Ashmore's Hardy family photos have been scanned with some already on the photo page.We are asking £5 deposit for the Hardy family history day in October- it kicks off at 10am at Hardy Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy.I've added a booking form today.

WE WERE THE YOUNG ONES

Looking back to the 1930s when independence of spirit was a luxury the Hardy's could afford

one of several small sketches and paintings from the family archive held by Dave and Mandy at Lower Peover. If you have material to submit get in touch soon.

Berta Hardy

I have edited the whole of Mark Ashmore's and Peter Hardy's family files.Please click an advert or two each visit, costs you nothing but helps pay for the site.So the promised weddding of the year, Berta in her Bridesmaid gear to the left.1920- Birkdale, Lancashire. Vera Evelyne Hardy daughter of Arthur Alexis ( moneybags) Hardy marries Gilbert Benedict Hastings son of Patrick ( call me rich) Hastings. Berta was one of several bridesmaids. The reception was a grand knees up . Ernest Rudolph Hardy was a bit seven sheets to the wind. At least this focuses several photos on one event. Please feel free to try and identify people in the pictures.My next photo feature will be the well wash Laundry in Beaumaris

by Dave SpencerPublished: Sept 2008 An adopted post war baby boomer from a Sussex council estate, reminders of the conflict littered the 50’s landscape. Nature was still bountiful but the landed gentry were selling our heritage before conservation had teeth. This was the first television generation: weaned on the Flower Pot Men, Dave Spencer grows up in an increasingly commercial and libertarian society which explodes into the colourful sixties. Ill at ease amongst former public school boys, a lurch to the left sees the author struggling with the antics of gas board apprentices followed by fun in the stock room as a trainee retail manager. Set against popular music and current events of the era a rude awakening comes in the shape of a wily Glaswegian con man. A confrontation with the law and a taste of life on the road leads to a ferry across the Mersey and a hippy hike from Cornwall to Manchester. A final fling in Sussex comes as a long haired milkman in a story which mixes religion, drugs, politics and passion.From idealist to opportunist the author encounters characters from the IRA to the Jewish rag trade. It’s not all a barrel of laughs but with a wry sense of humour and optimism life is never dull. One minute a member of Britain’s nuclear defence forces and the next fighting for a woman’s right to order a pint of ale. The alternative society of 70’s Manchester saw radical political and social changes embraced with the author’s usual enthusiasm.Settling down to a conventional lifestyle didn’t stop wanderlust, resuming interest in hobbies Dave emerges as one of the world’s most travelled transport photographers with his video camera aimed at some unlikely corners of a bewildered planet. The kindness of strangers often restores faith in mankind and some of the characters we meet are strange indeed.